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Baxter council reviews Parks Commission recommendations to cut costs on proposed dog park; no vote taken
Summary
Council reviewed Parks and Trails Commission recommendations to reduce Phase 1 costs for the proposed Baxter Dog Park — including swapping a restroom for an ADA satellite, replacing a wood entrance sign with a metal sign, and removing dog play equipment — and directed staff to finish plans and return in April.
Baxter City Council members on March 4 discussed recommended cost reductions to the proposed Baxter Dog Park Phase 1 design but did not take formal action, instead directing staff to complete final plans and return for approval in April.
The recommendation from the Parks and Trails Commission would reduce the Phase 1 estimate from $457,400 by $90,550 to about $366,850, meeting the council’s target to avoid drawing the park dedication account into a potential negative balance. “The recommendation is, here for your consideration,” the staff presenter said, explaining the three primary recommended changes.
Staff and commissioners described three specific cost-saving measures recommended by the Parks and Trails Commission: eliminate the planned carved wood entrance sign (estimated at $7,775) and use a smaller metal sign (about $200–$300); swap the restroom building shown near the parking lot for an ADA-compliant satellite restroom configuration, which staff said would save about $58,000; and postpone or remove the dog play apparatus (estimated at $25,000). Combining those cuts produced the $90,550 reduction the commission proposed. “If the council’s comfortable with moving the dog park project forward ... the next step ... would be to do final plans and specs to prepare this project for bidding,” staff said.
Council members asked detail questions about surfacing, access and maintenance. Staff said a shallow seasonal water line included in the base project would support irrigation to establish grass in high-traffic areas. Councilmember Zach asked whether the main loop trail needed to be 10 feet wide or could be narrowed; staff said the city’s trails are normally 10 feet to accommodate maintenance equipment and recommended keeping that width to avoid accelerated edge deterioration. Councilmember Patrick and others discussed the planned woodchip trail and how staff historically stages those surfaces over several years.
Members also discussed siting and amenities: several asked for more benches than the base plan’s two benches and two picnic tables; one councilmember suggested fundraising to add benches made from recycled materials. Staff said they are drafting a donation policy and expect to have details to present when they return with final plans and specifications.
No motion was made to adopt the Parks and Trails Commission recommendation at the March 4 meeting. Staff said the design is roughly 60% complete and that the council will be shown final plans and a cost comparison with and without the entrance sign at the first meeting in April. The council’s direction was limited to asking staff to finish plans/specifications, prepare bidding documents, and provide the donation policy for any future phases.
If the council concurs on the final plans in April, staff said they will solicit construction bids. The council did not vote on any ordinance or resolution related to the dog park on March 4.
